The most important day of the tech world’s autumn calendar is almost right here: Apple’s iPhone 16 occasion will happen on September 9 at 1PM ET. We’ll be live-blogging the information, and you may watch it reside through the corporate’s web site or on YouTube. The most important information from Apple’s It is Glowtime occasion will virtually undoubtedly contain the forthcoming lineup of iPhone 16 handsets. As with all latest Septembers, we additionally count on to get a brand new Apple Watch or two — perhaps even three, if Apple squeezes in a brand new SE.
Past that, rumors have been swirling a couple of refresh of the usual AirPod earbuds. And what about new M4 Macs, HomePods, iPad mini and even the baseline iPhone SE? A few of these might hit later this yr, whereas others in all probability will not see the sunshine of day till 2025 or past. However till Tim Cook dinner takes the (digital) stage, nevertheless, every little thing is pure hypothesis. With that stated, let’s get into the probably leaks and rumors forward of the Apple occasion.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Professional
It doesn’t matter what else occurs, these new handsets will take heart stage through the Apple occasion. That’s excellent news for folks prepared for an improve. The dangerous (ish) information? The overwhelming majority of leaks and rumors point out that this will likely be one other yr of iterative enhancements, so don’t count on a game-changing new {hardware} function.
There’s prone to be 4 new fashions introduced on the occasion, which is analogous to what Apple did final yr. The brand new telephones will allegedly be known as the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max, in accordance with business analyst Mark Gurman. That is the very same naming conference as final yr’s iPhone 15 reveal, so the rumors of Apple adopting an “iPhone Ultra” moniker appear to have been enormously exaggerated.
Even when Apple does not use the Extremely naming, the Professional fashions is likely to be getting barely bigger screens, which is at all times good (in the event you like huge telephones, that’s). The common Professional is prone to transfer to six.3 inches from 6.1 inches, whereas the Professional Max ought to hit 6.9 inches, a rise from 6.7 inches. Lastly, there’ll doubtless be a brand new colour or two, as at all times. Bloomberg’s Gurman means that Apple is able to ditch the blue mannequin in favor of the return of rose gold. Individually, 9to5Mac has reported on a brand new “gold-colored titanium” hue for the iPhone 16 Professional mannequin. Primarily based on a supply who apparently nailed final yr’s grey titanium colour, they’re displaying off what seems to be extra of a dusky sand hue than gold.
On the {hardware} facet of issues, search for a brand new chipset that takes benefit of the corporate’s latest push towards AI, also referred to as Apple Intelligence. Past that, the upgraded A18 chip will likely be an iterative enchancment, specs-wise. As is typical, the Professional and Professional Max will doubtless get a extra highly effective chip than the usual fashions. It seems to be like the bottom quantity of RAM right here will likely be 8GB, in order to deal with these aforementioned AI duties.
It’s additionally been rumored that the usual iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will get the Motion Button, a function launched final yr for the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max. This multi-purpose button is a direct substitute for the mute change, by default, however may be adjusted to manage a bunch of various issues. The Motion Button can be utilized to to vary ringer settings, activate the flashlight, launch the digital camera and extra.
There’s additionally speak of one other new button, this one on the appropriate facet of the telephone. It will management digital camera options, working like a button on a DSLR. Reporting signifies {that a} tender press will set off autofocus and a more durable press will take a photograph. Shoppers may be capable to swipe alongside the button to zoom out and in whereas taking pictures images or taking movies. It’s been reported that this digital camera button will solely include the Professional and Professional Max, which is smart for the reason that high-end fashions usually supply a extra strong digital camera expertise.
To that finish, new iPhones at all times get a digital camera spec bump, however we don’t know precisely what that may seem like this time. It’s been reported, nevertheless, that the iPhone 16’s digital camera module could possibly be getting a design refresh. Apple is likely to be ditching the sq. and going with a vertical orientation. This may solely apply to the bottom iPhone 16 and perhaps the Plus, because the Professional and Professional Max telephones have a tendency to position a a lot increased emphasis on images and movies.
We already know what’s approaching the software program facet of issues, because of the latest WWDC occasion. Primarily based on earlier years, iOS 18 ought to be obtainable inside the week following the occasion. The software program replace encompasses a extra customizable Management Middle and House Display. It’s going to additionally lastly deliver RCS help to iPhones.
As for Apple Intelligence, you’ll have to attend a bit. It was introduced as a part of iOS 18, but it surely’s been delayed till iOS 18.1. This isn’t an enormous deal, as that OS refresh is anticipated in October, however does imply that early adopters of the iPhone 16 gained’t be capable to idiot round with AI straight away.
Apple Watch Sequence 10 and Apple Watch Extremely 3
Ever since 2016, iPhone occasions have additionally included a deep dive on the most recent Apple Watch. This yr seems to be to be no completely different. As a matter of reality, it is a huge yr for the Apple Watch. We’re arising on the gadget’s tenth birthday, so there are conflicting rumors as as to if the subsequent entry will likely be known as the Apple Watch Sequence 10 or the Sequence X.
It doesn’t matter what it finally ends up being known as, Apple’s subsequent customary smartwatch is reported to have a much bigger display that’s extra in keeping with the Extremely. It’s anticipated that the corporate will ditch the 41mm type issue and introduce a 49mm design.
Rumors have additionally steered that Apple has utterly redesigned the band system and added new connectors. It will doubtless make these straps simpler to regulate, however there’s a draw back. This transfer may make it so all of these outdated bands now not work.
In fact, there’s going to be a brand new chip to energy these watches, however we don’t have any specifics. It’s been steered that these chips have been designed to accommodate Apple’s latest foray into AI, however that integration is prone to occur afterward. For now, Apple Intelligence will likely be tethered to iPhone, iPad and Mac.
There are prone to be two watches revealed on the occasion, that are codenamed N217 and N218. It’s attainable one among these would be the Apple Watch Extremely 3, although Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says the high-end smartwatch gained’t get a significant redesign this outing. It’ll doubtless be an iterative refresh.
On the software program entrance, it seems to be like Apple has run into some snags whereas growing long-anticipated well being monitoring instruments. Well being monitoring is likely one of the key options of the Apple Watch, so the corporate has been engaged on new sensors to detect hypertension and sleep apnea. Nonetheless, the tech will doubtless not be prepared for this yr’s smartwatch. Apple’s additionally been growing a glucose sensor for nearly a decade so, who is aware of, perhaps it’ll lastly present up with the Sequence X.
Lastly, it’s extremely attainable that Apple declares a brand new model of the budget-friendly Watch SE. This was final up to date in 2022, so a refresh is overdue. There was some reporting that Apple will likely be swapping out the aluminum exterior with a inflexible plastic shell. This could assist get prices down even additional. Because it stands, the Apple Watch SE is $250, however Samsung’s least expensive wearable is the $200 Galaxy Watch FE. Apple might wish to compete nearer to that worth vary.
AirPods 4
It’s been reported that Apple’s prepping two new variants of its customary earbuds. The AirPods 4 may function each an entry-level mannequin and a mid-tier model, which might successfully change AirPods 2 and AirPods 3.
The large information right here is that each AirPods 4 variations are prone to transition to a USB-C case to preserve tempo with the iPhone and the second-gen AirPods Professional. It’s been steered that the cheaper of the 2 forthcoming fashions would lack wi-fi charging, however that the mid-tier model would help this know-how. This is identical technique Apple adopted with earlier generations, so it is smart.
Each variations ought to function related designs, although the mid-tier variant is prone to help lively noise cancellation just like the Professional mannequin. Talking of, there’ll doubtless be no refresh of Apple’s high-end Professional earbuds at this occasion. There’s additionally some thriller surrounding the corporate’s over-ear headphones, AirPods Max. It’s been 4 entire years since these premium cans hit retailer cabinets (they usually’re nonetheless caught utilizing a Lightning port for charging), so a refresh is lengthy overdue.
Another factor
The iPhone occasion doesn’t usually have a “one more thing” second, however there’s one piece of {hardware} that might get a shock shout out. It’s been rumored that Apple is making ready a large redesign of the Mac mini, which would come with ditching the USB-A port, in accordance with Gurman. Analysts have steered that this would be the firm’s smallest ever desktop pc and could possibly be across the identical dimension of an Apple TV streaming field.
There’ll reportedly be two variations of the upcoming Mac Mini, one with the usual M4 chip and one other with the extra highly effective M4 Professional chip. The bottom mannequin is rumored to begin transport from suppliers this month, so it’s attainable Apple will spend a couple of minutes on the pc on the iPhone occasion. Nonetheless, don’t rely on it. That is an occasion for iPhones and smartwatches and a miniaturized desktop may really feel misplaced. And, similar to it did final fall, Apple may simply maintain a Mac-specific occasion later this yr.
There’s additionally a number of noise on-line about an upcoming iPad mini refresh. Apple’s smallest iPad hasn’t had an replace since 2021, and is at the moment “thought of ‘constrained’ internally,” in accordance with Gurman. Whereas a brand new mannequin is prone to come quickly, it isn’t widespread for Apple to announce iPads throughout its iPhone occasion.
Past that, an entire bunch of software program updates are about to drop. There’s iOS 18, which we’ve written about extensively, and iPadOS 18. As for smartwatches, watchOS 11 can be popping out someday this fall. Apple already detailed all three working programs at WWDC, however the upcoming iPhone occasion can be a very good time to announce official launch dates.
One… early factor?
This is one thing we all know for positive: Apple has a up to date Beats Powerbeats Professional replace coming subsequent yr. Beats teased an replace to the earbuds on its Instagram account on September 4 with a brief Reel. Within the clip, Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani swings a bat whereas sporting the upcoming earbuds, earlier than a “Powerbeats Pro 2” wordmark and “Coming 2025” flash up on display.
That is it — there is not any point out of specs, pricing, or a tighter launch window, however we do not less than see a tweaked design. You may learn senior reporter Billy Steele’s evaluation of this glimpse right here. Likelihood is we can’t hear about this new set of buds on the iPhone occasion, however count on to see them adorning many extra athlete and superstar ears earlier than lengthy.
The Engadget Podcast with particular visitor Mark Gurman
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In preparation for Apple’s September 9 occasion, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman joined Engadget Podcast hosts Cherlynn Low and Devindra Hardawar to speak all issues Apple. The trio talked at size concerning the newest Apple rumors, together with the brand new digital camera button for iPhone, tweaks to display sizes, the brand new AirPods lineup and what to anticipate from the most recent Apple Watch fashions. There’s additionally slightly extra element on the way forward for Apple, from subsequent yr’s “super slim” iPhone redesign via to the corporate’s burgeoning ambitions in house robotics. You may hearken to the episode above, and a full transcript is obtainable right here.
Replace, September 4 2024, 7:00PM ET: This story has been up to date a number of occasions since its authentic publishing. The updates have been as follows, in chronological order:
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Added the time and date of the Apple occasion.
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Added some particulars on the iPad mini being stock-restrained.
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Added a recap of the Engadget Podcast with Mark Gurman.
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Added a hyperlink to 9to5Mac‘s reporting on a brand new colour for the iPhone 16 Professional.
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Added a hyperlink to Mark Gurman’s reporting on the Mac mini.
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Added a piece on the shock announcement of the Powerbeats Professional 2.
